News outlets speculate that Rockefeller likely will retire in 2014, but if he does seek a sixth term, an August poll suggests he’ll have his work cut out for him: Capito is favored 48 percent to 44 percent in a hypothetical matchup between the two.

Capito said she hoped that her announcement this far in advance will “avoid disruptive political speculation” and “provide clarity and time for others to make decisions.”

In her race to maintain her congressional seat in one of West Virginia’s three districts, Capito received 70 percent of the vote, leaving Democratic challenger Howard Swint in the dust.

Her fundraising advantage was even more overwhelming. According to data from the Center for Responsive Politics — based on the most recent disclosure numbers from mid-October — Capito only had to spend about 58 percent of her $2 million raised to defeat Swint, who raised slightly more than $6,300. Most of that came from his own pocket.

Outside spending did not play a role in the election, according to Center for Responsive Politics data.

It’s likely that mining will remain among Capito’s top industries; she cited West Virginia’s coal industry as a priority in her announcement and criticized the federal government’s energy and environmental policies.

If Rockefeller runs for re-election, his top contributing industries, particularly lawyers, could give him an edge. In the 2008 election, lawyers donated $716,000 to his campaign — almost three times as much as his next highest industry.

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